Positive Education

At Newcastle Grammar School we have deliberately chosen Positive Education. Our approach places wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do and brings together best practice teaching and learning with learning the skills and mindsets to flourish. Central to the lens through which we see the Positive Education experience are strengths. The language of strengths permeates our entire school community and we know that Character Strengths are the Pathway to PERMA.

Positive Education at Newcastle Grammar School offers a range of empirically validated approaches from the field of positive psychology which are delivered through interventions, programs and practices to promote the wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community. As a Visible Wellbeing Partner School, we appreciate the importance of tuning in to wellbeing and making something that is invisible seen, heard and felt. In addition to promoting the positive psychology principles of growth mindset, gratitude, resilience, grit, deliberate practice, flow and mindfulness we also believe in the importance of wellbeing literacy as a general capability.

Together, we can all RISE to be the best we can be.

Visible Wellbeing

Visible Wellbeing is a whole school evidence-based approach to developing and sustaining student, staff and community wellbeing. Under the guidance of Professor Lea Waters PhD, University of Melbourne, the Visible Wellbeing approach offers a language, lens and framework for flourishing.

Artist’s Statement: JASMIN ZHOU (Year 12 2019)

At Newcastle Grammar School we have decided to use the motif of a kaleidoscope to symbolise our Visible Wellbeing journey. The kaleidoscope captures the visible, audible, and tangible message of SEE, HEAR, FEEL by representing wellbeing as a myriad of delicately arranged coloured surfaces from which light can bounce and an infinity of patterns is created.

Part of the journey of Visible Wellbeing is to recognise the diversity of experiences, visions and colours that each person offers and to also embrace our own; and like the turns that we take in life, each twist of the kaleidoscope produces an image that is powerful, beautiful and unique.

The kaleidoscope offers a wellbeing lens that takes something that exists inside of us that can’t be seen and brilliantly radiates it to the world. The aim is to encourage everyone to tune in to their own wellbeing and make it seen, heard and felt while also engaging in a shared human experience and appreciating the wellbeing of others.

It has been my honour to harness my strengths in the conceptualisation of Visible Wellbeing through the creative process for Newcastle Grammar School and I wish everyone well in their own journeys towards making wellbeing visible.

LEARN MORE

Character Strengths

We all have strengths.

Strengths are the positive qualities and attributes that we find energising, choose often and perform well. Strengths research asks the questions;

What is right with you?

Who are you at your best?

What would change if you brought your best self to each situation?

Knowing our signature strengths and skillfully applying them can have a significant positive impact on our lives. Research indicates that using our signature strengths can help us buffer against, manage and overcome challenges, improve our relationships and enhance our wellbeing.

Through the Positive Education programme at Newcastle Grammar School, all students will be given the opportunity to discover their signature strengths from the 24 character strengths through the Values in Action (VIA) Institute.

LEARN MORE

2019 School Captains

It has been another fantastic start to the school year and so far, our leadership journey has been very rewarding. We feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve the school, giving back to the community that has helped shape us throughout our school life.Over the past term we have taken enormous pride in being able to represent the school, building connections across year groups and with the local community, working closely with both students and staff to facilitate new opportunities and uphold the school values. It has been both an enjoyable and challenging experience so far and we can’t wait to see what is yet to come!

With the year 12 leadership team, we have implemented new projects which have engaged with the school community, encouraging students to explore topical issues such as pollution and student wellbeing.

Clean up Australia day was a huge success, involving students across the school, encouraging a greater awareness of our impact on the environment therein highlighting the significance of each individual’s contribution. It was a great opportunity to serve the community with the overall rubbish collected amounting to 9 bags, an amazing achievement reflecting the power of doing good, while feeling good.

Additionally, Bullying No Way day at Hill Campus and Flag of Friendship day at Park Campus, united the school in a common goal, reinforcing the importance of kindness and consideration of others. Furthermore, the Year 12 visit to Park Campus was enjoyed by all, encouraging cross campus unification and a building of new relationships, enhancing the inclusive school atmosphere we aspire to uphold.

Progressing forward, we believe it is important as a school to give back to the community and help those in difficult circumstances, hence, we are working towards organising a food drive with OzHarvest.

Climate change and sustainability are key global issues that will affect current and future societies; therefore, in the terms to come we would like to encourage students to participate in sustainable initiatives such as a single use plastic free day.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our responsibilities as school captains so far and are eager for the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Emily Prickett and Nicholas McGrath

School Captains